The American Jew as Patriot, Soldier and Citizen

by Simon Wolf

Through the personal malice and mean manœuvers of two officials, the well-merited reward for the last mentioned benefits was withheld from him. "But," affirms the abused victim of ingratitude with a dignified emphasis, which seemed to restore his confidence, "my accomplishments in this regard may easily be ascertained by application to Gutierrez Florez, the Indian minister of commerce in Seville."

"I do not bring these facts to your notice," continues the self-vindicator in haughty terms, "in order to obtain reward from your Majesty, but that your serene highness might perceive how zealously and indefatigably, I, a secret Hebrew,[106] travelled everywhere, despite harassing circumstances, obstacles end even imminent perils, and have forsaken your realm out of pure fear to die outside of my faith, which, according to my conception is the only true creed appointed by the Almighty, the Creator of heaven, sun, moon, sea and all things therein, you, gracious Sire included. I do not revive these recollections in order to deplore my ill-fortune or petition for the proper remuneration and recognition denied me for the various favors rendered, for such great and weighty benefits I am yet in a position to offer from here, without necessitating my residence there; only out of simple attachment to your royal highness, whom I desire to serve and in order that the memory of this Israelite and his faithful acts be not wholly eradicated from your heart, I am quite satisfied to continue the diligent execution of projects confided to my trust. O, would it please the Heavenly Father, that the Jews in your dominion could enjoy the same liberties and privileges accorded to them by the exemplary toleration of the Pope in Rome, Venice, Milan, Naples, in the whole of Apulia, Ragusa, Florence, Pisa, Ferrara, Mantova and Italy and here in Constantine and the Barbary States.

Would that they were permitted to migrate from one portion of your realm to the other and live under the same circumstances as elsewhere. Then I would not resign from the office I so loyally occupied, and your countries would considerably increase in commercial opulence—it is inconceivable why your Grace should not participate in the profits reaped by others—then your armies, military exploits and campaigns against Lutherans, heretics and other enemies would be much more successful than they have been heretofore.

"And as regards the Spanish Inquisition against the Jews,"[107] further declares this remarkable champion of the Mosaic faith, "I have absolutely no objection to urge, if it is directed against such as voluntarily embrace Christianity and secretly profess the ancient religion." He calls the King's attention to the fact that within two months he could at command transport 200,000 pesos cash money into the state treasury without injuring anyone; in a similar manner he is able in one single day, whenever the King willed it, to obtain more than one million pieces of gold from Santa Fe in the new kingdom of Granada. Other treasures are spoken of as accessible to the all-conquering genius of David Ebron, and obtainable by him for the King, whom he is intent on reconciling to his Jewish subjects. His eloquence reaches the fever heat of indignation, however, when he alludes to the thievish officials in the King's employ. "What a pity, your Majesty, that so much money is stolen in India and Spain. I could aggravate myself to death when I contemplate upon the mass of wealth wrongfully acquired by your representatives and ministers. Were I to enumerate all the outrageous robberies committed against you, O mighty Sovereign, in Seville, and apprise you of the doings of that infamous horde there stationed, and admitted into your court! ... O lips, if only you would divulge the secrets which oppress the heart! O tongue! why not reveal what you know and feel?" In concluding his remarks, he places himself at the disposal of the government as confidential agent in the affairs of Portugal, the marriage of the Oranian, and similar matters, and enjoins upon the King to communicate with him under the seal of strictest privacy, should he require his co-operation or assistance at any future time. "The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob," says he, "who created the universe, protect and exalt your Majesty and inspire you to deal leniently and indulgently with your Hebrews, whom God never totally ignores or forgets, but inflicts with penalties and disasters only to try their fortitude and allegiance!"

This quite forgotten explorer and financier, whose eloquent plea in behalf of his race can not fail to appeal to every one, and whose only demand for the enormous service rendered to his king is more tolerance toward his people, deserves an honorable place in the annals of American Jewish History as a loyal, patriotic subject.

VII.
Enterprise and Influence of the Gradis Family in the West Indies, and During the Canadian Wars.

This is not to be a series of biographical sketches on the Rothschilds of the Eighteenth Century, for neither the space nor the scope of this work would permit of such an elaborate history. This chapter aims merely to set forth the political prominence attained by the family of Gradis,[108] to whose hands the fortunes of two continents were entrusted, and whose labors of love and patriotic services during the war-times of France in America, deserve to be chronicled in our annals. Reserving the elaboration of the family's antecedents, and other interesting particulars for another large paper on the History of the Jews in Martinique—the seat of their chief activity—we shall here detail those facts which concern our topic the most.

We may begin with David Gradis, who, in 1731, was naturalized in Bordeaux,[109] and who died in 1751. Already in 1696 he founded the great mercantile house which had commercial connections with England, Holland, Paris, southern France and the West Indies. The exports were linen, wine and alcohol. In the year 1715, David Gradis tided over the financial crisis under Louis XIV., after paying a draft of 150,000 francs, which his house endorsed. In fact the hard times did not affect him much, for we know that only two years after he conducted all the transatlantic commerce. He fitted out three ships, one bound for Cayenne and two for the Island of Martinique (or Martinico). His cargo consisted of wine, alcohol, meal and pickled meat, which he exchanged for sugar and indigo in the West Indian ports. Another money-crisis in 1719, passed without materially injuring his prospects, although he lost heavily. In spite of it, however, he again undertook foreign expeditions and was, as before, successful. In 1724, his business expanded to such an extent that he opened a branch on the island of St. Domingo. His name and fame grew in popularity and opulence, and French America was glad to acknowledge the enterprise of this energetic man who passed under the name of the Portuguese Merchant. And, although Jews were not tolerated in the French colonies, by the stern and scheming Jesuits, as we shall have ample occasion to show elsewhere, the government was constrained to overlook his origin and belief, in view of his vast influence and commercial importance. So universal was the esteem felt for the house of David Gradis that when his son Samuel, who conducted the interests of the business in St. Pierre, Martinique, died there in 1732, his remains were interred in the garden of the frères de la Charité, and masses were held in the cloisters for the repose of his soul. True, the monks dared not erect a monument to mark the spot. The lieutenant of the colony urged in argument of their expulsion the fact that were any of the members of the house of Gradis, there established, to die, their property would have to be confiscated, for Jews were not permitted to have possessions. Nevertheless he shut his eyes on their prolonged residence on the island. Abraham, eldest son of David Gradis, succeeded his father as senior member of the firm, of which he was previously a partner. He achieved even more fame than his predecessor. Endowed with wonderful ability and speculative genius, he also controlled the trade of France with the West Indies. He received important official contracts from the government; became intimate with personages of the highest political rank; obtained the protection and friendship of M. Maurepas, the confidant of Louis XVI., and added much to the glory and renown of the house of "David Gradis, et fils." His extensive correspondence with the greatest men of the reign of Louis XV. and XVI., is still extant.